If you’ve been in the vicinity of Grey’s Monument, you’ll have been greeted with this sights and sounds of a certain Tyneside institution which is back bigger than ever before for 2018.

Newcastle Christmas Market has returned and is now officially open for another year, with one big change.

Rather than the International Market and Christmas Market being split and following one after another, the two have been merged this time round, with cuisine from all over the world sharing space with top notch local produce.

And this is a win-win situation for customers will all manner of tasty treats on hand to tickle the tastebuds.

We paid a visit to the already bustling market on launch day – Friday, November 16 – and of course we tried a few things (THOROUGHLY recommend the halloumi fries!)